How you can help victims of Florence

Hurricane Florence, a massive storm that had been on course to strike North and South Carolina, finally made landfall Friday morning. The slow-moving hurricane pounded the Atlantic coast with 90 mph winds, widespread coastal flooding, and sheets of rain.

By Friday evening, Florence was downgraded to a tropical storm, according to the National Hurricane Center. While that means the former hurricane's winds have lessened, the worst impacts from the storm are likely to be flooding rains that are still a threat to anyone in its path.

While we won't know the full scope of Florence's toll for days, the hurricane has already forced evacuations for millions of people along the coast and knocked out power for hundreds of thousands. If you want to help those affected by Florence, Charity Navigator, a nonprofit that evaluates charities, has compiled a list of "highly-rated organizations" planning to aid with recovery.

There are also other ways you can help people who will be rebuilding their lives in the wake of the hurricane, including donating to community groups that assist the most vulnerable populations and supporting verified GoFundMe fundraisers.

Here's our list of ways you can help, which will be updated to reflect the ultimate scale of Florence's devastation:

Charity Navigator notes that, at this time, it's unclear whether the featured organizations will spend donations made during Hurricane Florence specifically on storm relief. If you want to ensure your money will go toward aiding Florence survivors, contact the organization directly or look for an option to make that designation when you donate online.

Though not featured on Charity Navigator's list, the Salvation Army and Habitat for Humanity are national organizations already on the ground or preparing to help victims.

Google launched a $2 million matching campaign fundraiser for the Red Cross, which is operating shelters and providing aid to those affected. Facebook's Florence crisis response page also includes a matching fundraiser for the Red cross, in addition to a hub for asking for or offering help with aid and recovery.

2. Consider ways to help the most vulnerable communities.

The most vulnerable communities are often the most overlooked during a natural disaster. Expect for people with disabilities, senior citizens, and people with low incomes or experiencing homelessness to be the hardest hit by Florence.

Portlight Strategies, a nonprofit that focuses on disaster relief for older adults and people with disabilities, runs a hotline for those who have limited mobility yet need urgent or immediate assistance. The number is 1-800-626-4959. You can read more about the group's Florence response here, and you can donate to their efforts here.

3. Support GoFundMe campaigns.

You can support the official GoFundMe Hurricane Florence Relief fund here. GoFundMe has also created a hub where you can find verified campaigns or individual fundraisers for victims. The number and type of fundraisers will grow as Florence's damage becomes clear.

#HurricaneFlorence is making its way toward the coast & those in its path are making preparations for potentially catastrophic rain. In anticipation of this historic storm, we've created a centralized hub for the verified GoFundMes helping those impacted. https://t.co/vsG5q76HKj

Finally, if you need guidance on deciding which cause to support amongst so many worthy aid and recovery efforts, consult Charity Navigator's tips for how to give in a crisis. Those include giving money instead of material items, making long-term donations, and "reacting with intention."

UPDATE: Sept. 14, 2018, 2:33 p.m. PDT This story was updated to reflect Florence being downgraded to a tropical storm. Additional nonprofit organizations and campaigns have also been added.

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